Book 10: Chapter 19: (2)

Nino’s opinion was that if they had the time to pray, they might as well go out into battle to get some more experience.

It was the natural reaction of a Mazoku, but judging from her scrunched up eyebrows, it was clear that she was trying her hardest to understand. 

That was why Vermudol, Ichika, and Rokuna all decided to wait in silence. 

Eventually Nino let out an “Ah!” 

“So they’re like the west Mazoku from a long time ago?” 

The west Mazoku from long time ago. That’s right, there were Mazoku who gathered subordinates thanks to their sly tongue and cooped themselves up in dungeons. They were definitely similar to the societies found in humanity.” 

“…Well, I suppose they are a bit similar.” 

“I see.” 

Nino smiled in satisfaction, but then frowned from seeing who showed up hugging Vermudol from behind. 

“Hey, don’t talk about this kind of interesting stuff without me. That’s kind of cold of you.” 

“Oh, it’s you, Demon God. Weren’t you exploring the castle town?” 

The one who showed up was the Demon God. 

For some reason the Demon God had appeared in the Zadark Kingdom and made the Demon King Castle her base… well, more precisely, it was Vermudol’s room she made her base as she played all over the place. 

While the same could be said for Ichika, Nino, and Ykslaas, it was quite troublesome that the Demon God wouldn’t listen to anyone but Vermudol. 

“It seemed like something more interesting was going on over here, so I came back.” 

“…I see. Unfortunately for you though, we’re about done.” 

“That’s not true, we still have to talk about what’s going to happen from now on. Including Wentus, we still have all kinds of things to talk about.” 

The threat of Wentus that was the key reason for the countries uniting together had not yet been resolved. 

The members of humanity have been making an uproar about it in their World Meetings, but there haven’t been any reports of any significant developments. 

“Well, yes, Wentus is still a problem. If only those World Meetings would actually function better.” 

“Ahaha, I saw those too. They argue nonstop with each other while getting in each other’s way. Humanity often say their meetings are like dances, but it turned out to actually be true.” 

“True, the minutes I’ve gone through seem to consist of just the same thing over and over again. I wonder why.” 

“They should be able to settle things with just a single sentence.” 

Ykslaas showed up from nowhere with an exhausted face, joining in the Demon God and Rokuna’s conversation. 

She had attempted to convince Shironos to become Prime Minister, which ended up with him rejecting the role and instead making Ykslaas become Prime Minister by recommending her. On top of that, Vermudol entrusted matters of foreign policy to her. She was overwhelmed with exhaustion at this point. 

Just a little while ago it would’ve only involved going between the Jiol Forest Kingdom, Cylas Empire, and the Canal Kingdom, but now she had to attend the World Meetings as a representative of the “other continent.” 

It might have been fine for a natural-born workaholic like Vermudol, but there was no way such a busy job wouldn’t completely tire out someone like Ykslaas who had more of a lazy personality. That was why she was in an especially bad mood as of lately. 

“Do you really want us to become the next St. Altlis Kingdom?” 

In contrast to Nino who tilted her head to the side, Vermudol nodded with understanding. 

“That’s a good comparison.” 

“What do you mean, Demon King-sama?” 

Nino looked up at Vermudol while still holding on to him. 

“Well, you see, if we demonstrate a strong sense of presence in the World Meetings, then that would prove to be helpful in foreign affairs in the future… right?” 

St. Altlis Kingdom became the center of the world after summoning the hero. While they wouldn’t have to go that far to get the same effect, they’d simply have to do something like holding a strong authoritative position in the World Meetings. 

There were many countries scheming to be the country that would make everyone say “it was that country that won us the war” when it came to the battle against Wentus. 

Of course, there’d be no point in doing something like that and then ending up losing, but many had the optimistic view that there’d be no way they’d lose. 

“What’s the point in doing that?” 

After glancing at Nino who was grabbing onto Vermudol, Ichika spoke while maintaining an expressionless look on her face. 

“in terms of attracting visitors, there is value. For example, if we contribute to victory through our knowledge, then we can establish academies that would become the world standard.” 

Using the Canal Kingdom as an example, Sage Teria established a magical academy as the first headmaster, and St. Altlis Kingdom established the Edeus Adventurer Academy. 

Those facilities have granted strength to the people to a significant extent over time. 

It could be said that taking an authoritative position in the World Meetings was a strategic step taken towards that specific purpose. 

“Hmm…” 

Nino muttered with a face that said she didn’t understand, and lost interest. 

Rokuna then interjected with a sneer on her face. 

“In that case, wouldn’t Ykslaas get famous? She does seem to be going all over the place.” 

“Now that’d be interesting. The Strong Arm Prime Minister Ykslaas establishing a political academy! Something like that. I could go ahead and make it real quick right now for you, if you want. It’d only take a second.” 

The Demon God supported Rokuna’s snide remark, to which Ykslaas made an upset face. 

“Stop that, I can’t even tell if you’re being serious.” 

“Of course I’m being serious. I can make it even bigger and fancier than this castle. How about I put a statue at the very top?” 

“Please don’t, it’d be too much trouble to manage.” 

“That’s not the problem, here…” 

Ykslaas shook Vermudol in complaint over such a ridiculous thing being built. 

Vermudol sighed and took the Demon God off his waist. 

“Like she said, I don’t think it’d be a good idea.” 

“Well, if you’re the one saying that, then I guess I won’t. It sounds kinda bothersome, anyway.” 

Ysklaas was a bit annoyed over how easily the Demon God took back what she said, but it was at least better than having such a ridiculous building being put up. 

That’s right, this Demon God always purposely made ridiculous remarks at times like these without thinking much on them. 

“Well, putting aside the academy, humanity wants to make stuff like that.” 

“It really could be something else entirely… but in terms of making something that would attract people long-term, an academy probably wouldn’t work. As long as we make a place that can serve as a way of refining a skill that can only be refined because of where it is, then knowledge and technique will come by on its own.” 

That was Vermudol’s pet theory, but technique was something that was only developed when thought necessary. As long as there is a place and opportunity, anyone would begin researching method of acheving their dream. 

For example, in the realm of humanity, the Cylas Empire believes techniques involving gold to be of the highest importance, so there are always people requesting to be disciples of the trade. 

It wasn’t as if other countries also had their own craftsmen in comparison, but this was essentially a battle of image. 

Basically, every country wanted to take this chance to become the center of the world. 

“…Although, that means Ykslaas would have to take a position of leadership in the meetings… That sounds like it’d be a lot of work.” 

“Oh, are you worried about me, Ichika?” 

Ykslaas chuckled, but Ichika responded with “Of course not” while retaining her expresionless face. 

“If there’s anything I might be worried about, it’d be over the chance of you failing and causing Vermudol trouble.” 

“Is that right? Then don’t worry. I just might become successful to the point where I’d be considered Vermudol’s right hand.” 

Ykslaas glared at Ichika with a grin, but Vermudol’s expression didn’t change one bit. 

This was par for the course, and there were more important matters at hand. 

After nodding, Vermudol turned to Ykslaas while Nino remained clutched onto him. 

“About the World Meetings, was there anything significant that wasn’t recorded in the minutes?” 

“Right, you’d be more interested in something like that.” 

Anything not recorded in the minutes would pertain negotiations or conversations that had nothing to do with the meeting. 

For example, things that wouldn’t be able to be mentioned during the meeting, or negotiations made beforehand that made it difficult for those things to be mentioned and carried the meeting towards one’s own desired direction. 

By understanding outside influences such as that, one can also obtain a grasp on certain trends. 

“Let’s see… Well, I have to say that things are proceeding just as you planned. Everyone’s desperate to put the Zadark Kingdom on their side. The Jiol Forest Kingdom and the Canal Kingdom are already perceived as being in our camp, so they’re seen as somewhat of a threat.” 

That’s right, if the smaller countries had any specific goal at this point, it would be to enter the larger camps that would benefit them. 

With that in mind, anyone trying to take a position of leadership would come to us with proposals in mind. 

“That’s why there’s no end to people saying that they have favorable prospects to discuss with King Vermudol. Just look at all those letters piled up in your room.” 

Ykslaas spoke while unpacking the bag she was carrying, revealing countless portraits of women and princesses from all kinds of countries. 

There weren’t many such requests when Vermudol had entered friendly relations with the Jiol Forest Kingdom, but ever since the World Meetings, they’ve been increasing at a rapid rate. 

“I believe it’d be best to burn them all.” 

“You’re right. Nino will use them as firewood.” 

“Oh, then I’ll light them on fire.” 

Ichika, Nino, and Rokuna then immediately made an incredible display of teamwork before being told to stop by Vermudol. 

“Don’t burn them, you’ll make it so I won’t be able to send them a letter of rejection anymore. I might as well remember their faces too to make future negotiations easier.” 

“There’s no need to remember them. They probably don’t even look exactly like these embellished portraits.” 

“…Well, I still need to write the letters. You can burn them after that.” 

As Rokuna said, it was common to draw the portraits to make the women look more beautiful than they really were. Vermudol had no way of denying that, so he instead tried to carry the conversation to a different direction. 

Vermudol knew that if this continued, the three of them would start saying things like “Did you decide on which one you’re going to pick?” 

That was why he had to return the conversation to the more important topic at hand. 

“Putting aside the talk about which camp all the countries want to join in on, it’s clear that every country is thinking about the future beyond the battle against Wentus. If we make a mistake here, then it’s sure to cause a mess for us.” 

The only thing keeping the world together right now was the threat of Wentus. 

It was only natural that these relations would diminish after the threat goes away, but of course Vermudol would do everything he can to make sure things don’t end just like that. 

“…The next World Meeting is tomorrow, right?” 

“Yes, but don’t tell me you’re planning on participating?” 

Vermudol nodded towards the surprised Ykslaas… to which the Demon God made a smirk. 

“What are you planning on doing, Vermudol?” 

“It should be obvious.” 

Vermudol responded without hesitation to that question. 

“I’ll turn the World Meetings into something permanent.”